Big News from Golden: GOCO Invests in Colorado’s Outdoors
Big news from Golden! The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board has awarded $25.6 million in grants to projects that strengthen Colorado’s outdoors, wildlife, and communities across the state.
Created by Colorado voters in 1992, GOCO invests up to half of Colorado Lottery proceeds in partner-led conservation and outdoor recreation projects. These latest awards were made through a competitive, multi-step process, with eligible organizations working closely with GOCO regional program officers to develop strong project concepts and full applications grounded in community need and long-term impact.
Statewide Highlights
Through GOCO’s base programs, 11 recreation, land conservation, and organizational capacity projects received a combined $13.5 million. Highlights from this round of funding include:
- New and improved parks and recreation spaces in Alamosa, Burlington, Mancos, Silver Cliff, and within the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe—designed to welcome people of all ages and abilities.
- Major land conservation efforts in Clear Creek County, northwest Colorado, and the San Luis Valley that will permanently protect more than 64,000 acres of high-value landscapes.
- Expanded capacity for statewide conservation leadership, including new fellowships from The Nature Conservancy and strengthened support for outdoor organizations through the Colorado Open Space Alliance.
GOCO also awarded $1.5 million to 20 stewardship projects through its partnership with the Colorado Youth Corps Association, putting Colorado’s conservation corps to work on trails, habitats, and public lands statewide.
In addition, 10 land conservation projects covering 7,231 acres received $509,500 through the Transaction Cost Assistance Program (TCAP), administered by Keep It Colorado, helping conservation easements cross the finish line.
Finally, Jared Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and GOCO announced more than $9.9 million in funding for 18 regional partnerships advancing conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience goals aligned with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy.
Community Impact: Alamosa’s Cole Park Transformation
Among the projects funded through GOCO’s Community Impact program is a major investment in Alamosa:
Cole Park: “A Place to Play for All”
$659,600 awarded to the City of Alamosa
The City of Alamosa will transform Cole Park, the community’s central 14.5-acre park, into an inclusive recreational hub serving residents across the city and the broader San Luis Valley.
Planned improvements include:
- A fully ADA-accessible playground with sensory play features
- Inclusive equipment such as a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, double-wide slides, and a potential in-ground trampoline designed for wheelchair users
- Replacement of the existing dirt pump track with a new asphalt wheel park, including a dedicated kids’ pump track
These upgrades respond directly to local needs. Nearly half of Alamosa residents rely on government assistance, and 16% of the community lives with a disability—twice the state average. The project reflects more than a decade of planning and engagement with parents, educators, and adaptive youth, including over 200 hours of volunteer input.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with completion and a community celebration planned for fall 2026.
